National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I Research Articles

Game-related statistics that discriminate winning from losing in NCAA Division-I men's basketball.

The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in game-related statistics between winning and losing game outcomes and determine which performance parameters have the greatest impact in classifying winning from losing game outcomes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division-I men's basketball level of competition. The data scraping technique was used to obtain publicly available data over a 2018-2019 season span. The total number of games examined was 5,147. Independent t-tests were used to examine statistically significant differences between winning and losing game outcomes, while a full model discriminant function analysis was used to determine the relative contribution of each game-related statistic and its ability to classify winning from losing game outcomes (p < 0.05). Alongside scoring a greater number of points at the end of the game, the findings of the present study indicate that winning teams: (a) attempted and made more field goals, three-point, and free-throw shots, (b) accumulated more defensive and total rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, (c) had fewer turnovers and personal fouls, and (d) secured greater field goal, three-point, and free-throw shooting percentage. Moreover, the top three performance parameters discriminating winning from losing game outcomes were field goal percentage, defensive rebounds, and assists, accounting for 16.8%, 12.2%, and 12.0% of the total percentage of explained variance, respectively (i.e., 41.0% combined). Overall, these findings support the expected roles of offensive and defensive game-related statistics and provide further insight into how they work together to optimize the chances of securing the desired game outcome.

Female National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I Athlete Injury Prediction by Vertical Countermovement Jump Force-Time Metrics.

Merrigan, JJ, Stone, JD, Kraemer, WJ, Vatne, EA, Onate, J, and Hagen, JA. Female National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I athlete injury prediction by vertical countermovement jump force-time metrics. J Strength Cond Res 38(4): 783-786, 2024-Vertical countermovement jump (CMJ) assessments on force plates have been purported to screen for musculoskeletal injury risk (MSKI) but with little scientific support. Thus, this study aimed to identify associations and noncontact lower-body injury predictability with CMJ force-time metrics in female athletes. The study entailed a retrospective analysis of routine injury and performance monitoring from 155 female National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I athletes. Noncontact lower-body injuries included in analysis were confirmed by medical staff, occurred during competition or training, resulted in time loss from training, and occurred within 3 months following CMJ testing (2 maximal effort, no arm swing, jumps on dual force plates). A total of 44 injuries occurred within 3 months following CMJ baseline testing and resulted in an average of 24.5 missed days from training. Those who sustained an injury were more likely to sustain another injury (15 of 44 injuries [33.1%]; odds ratio = 3.05 [95% CI = 1.31-6.99]). For every 1-unit increase from the mean in eccentric mean power and minimum eccentric force, there was a decrease in odds of sustaining a MSKI. Despite high overall model accuracy (85.6%), the receiving operating characteristic area under the curve (65.9%) was unacceptable and the true positive rate (recall) was 0.0%. Thus, no injuries in the testing data set were correctly classified by the logistic regression model with CMJ force-time metrics as predictors. Baseline CMJ assessment may not be useful for noncontact lower-body musculoskeletal injury screening or predictability in National Collegiate Athletics Association female athletes.

The Downstream Consequences of Race-Related Managerial Job Insecurity: Insights From College Basketball Coaching

We examine how in men’s college basketball coaching, race-related managerial job insecurity trickles down to negatively affect the careers of the subordinates who work for them. Using panel data from a randomly selected group of assistant basketball coaches working under the most prestigious and endowed governing body of collegiate sports in the United States—the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI)—we find that, in men’s college basketball coaching, subordinate White coaches are less likely to be involuntarily dismissed than their non-White, predominantly Black, counterparts because non-White subordinates disproportionately work for racially minoritized, predominantly Black, head coaches who themselves face greater job insecurity. We also find involuntary dismissal correlates with whether assistant coaches leave the ranks of NCAA DI men’s college basketball coaching and explains the significant interaction between race and a teams’ performance relative to their respective conferences. These findings illustrate how race-related managerial job insecurity trickles down to negatively affect the job opportunities of their subordinates and, because of homophily, perpetuates racial disadvantage.

Screening and Referral for Behavioral Health Symptoms in Collegiate Athletes.

We aim to investigate the prevalence of behavioral health symptoms in collegiate athletes and the frequency of referrals prompted by a preparticipation behavioral health screener. Athletes completed a screening battery to detect behavioral health symptoms and sports psychology clinicians designed criteria for intervention based on the severity of symptoms reported. Data from the screener was retrospectively de-identified and analyzed. National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I university. All athletes on active rosters were required to complete the screener as a component of the preparticipation examination. Sports psychology clinicians created a protocol for intervention based on the number and severity of symptoms reported on the screener. Communication with athletes and referrals made to behavioral health services. Of the 1126 surveys completed, 39% had behavioral health symptoms necessitating behavioral health referral. Twelve percent required a safety check-in, given the severity of their symptoms. Seven percent of the respondents were newly established with behavioral health services. Symptoms of behavioral health disorders are common among athletes and yet, for a myriad of reasons, many choose to forgo treatment. By implementing a behavioral health screening battery, the prevalence of behavioral health symptoms among athletes at our institution was elucidated and many athletes were newly established with behavioral health services. The tiered intervention protocol in this study allowed for appropriate assessment and triage of high-risk individuals, while simultaneously providing lower-risk individuals with appropriate resources. Surveillance for behavioral health symptoms among college athletes using a screening battery with a tiered intervention protocol can ensure at-risk athletes are identified, contacted, and referred to behavioral health services, potentially improving their athletic performance and overall well-being, while averting poor outcomes.

Association between race and maladaptive concentric left ventricular hypertrophy in American-style football athletes

ObjectivesAmerican-style football (ASF) athletes are at risk for the development of concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (C-LVH), an established cardiovascular risk factor in the general population. We sought to address whether...

The Effects of Various Weighted Implements on Baseball Swing Kinematics in Collegiate Baseball Players.

Williams, CC, Gdovin, JR, Wilson, SJ, Cazas-Moreno, VL, Eason, JD, Hoke, EL, Allen, CR, Wade, C, and Garner, JC. The effects of various weighted implements on baseball swing kinematics in collegiate baseball players. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1347-1353, 2019-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different warm-up (WU) devices on bat swing parameters including maximal resultant velocity (MRV), resultant velocity at ball contact (RVBC), time difference between MRV and RVBC, bat angle at MRV, bat angle at RVBC, and perceptual differences of each WU implement used by National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I baseball players. Fifteen varsity baseball players completed 1 experimental session during fall training. Retroreflective markers were placed on the bat and tee to measure basic bat kinematics during the swing. Participants completed a general calisthenics WU before being counter-balanced into 1 of 4 WU conditions: standard bat (SB) (33 in/30 oz), fungo (10.6 oz), weighted gloves with SB (weighted gloves) (55.6 oz) and donut with SB (donut) (55.6 oz). Each participant was asked to perform their normal on-deck routine over a 2-minute period, finishing with 5 practice swings with the designated condition. After completion of the WU, a 1-minute rest period (simulating normal game conditions) was given to allow each participant to get set to perform 5 maximal swings with a SB. Five, 1 × 4 (group × condition) repeated measures analysis of variance examined the aforementioned variables. There were no significant differences in MRV, RVBC, time difference between MRV and RVBC, and bat angle at MRV and RVBC between all WU conditions. If presented with the current options, athletes should choose the WU implement with which they are most comfortable using before an at-bat situation.

Comparing Biomechanical Time Series Data During the Hang-Power Clean and Jump Shrug.

Kipp, K, Comfort, P, and Suchomel, TJ. Comparing biomechanical time series data during the hang-power clean and jump shrug. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2389-2396, 2021-The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the force-, velocity-, displacement-, and power-time curves during the hang-power clean (HPC) and the jump shrug (JS). To this end, 15 male lacrosse players were recruited from a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I team, and performed one set of 3 repetitions of the HPC and JS at 70% of their HPC 1 repetition maximum (1RM HPC). Two in-ground force plates were used to measure the vertical ground reaction force (GRF) and calculate the barbell-lifter system mechanics during each exercise. The time series data were normalized to 100% of the movement phase, which included the initial countermovement and extension phases, and analyzed with curve analysis and statistical parametric mapping (SPM). The SPM procedure highlighted significant differences in the force-time curves of the HPC and JS between 85 and 100% of the movement phase. Likewise, the SPM procedure highlighted significant differences in the velocity- and power-time curve of the HPC and JS between 90 and 100% of the movement phase. For all comparisons, performance of the JS was associated with greater magnitudes of the mechanical outputs. Although results from the curve analysis showed significant differences during other periods of the movement phase, these differences likely reflect statistical issues related to the inappropriate analysis of time series data. Nonetheless, these results collectively indicate that when compared with the HPC, execution of the JS is characterized by greater GRF and barbell-lifter system velocity and power outputs during the final 10% of the movement phase.

Coronary Artery Evaluation by Screening Echocardiogram in Intercollegiate Athletes.

Coronary artery anomalies are the second most common congenital cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Some centers have advocated for limited transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) protocols in the screening of college athletes, which may miss important causes of sudden cardiac death. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of screening TTE to determine the origin and proximal course of the coronary arteries in intercollegiate athletes. An institutional review board-approved retrospective review of all incoming National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I athletes at a single institution for the 2013-2014 academic year was performed. Two pediatric cardiologists independently reviewed all TTE studies for right coronary artery (RCA) and left coronary artery (LCA) ostia, proximal course, and measurable course. Proximal course was defined as a measurable course >1 cm for the RCA and a measurable course >1 cm or observation of the bifurcation for the LCA. Measurable course was defined as the maximum continuously observable distance of coronary artery from a clearly delineable ostium. Results were compared among athlete characteristics, and interobserver reliability was evaluated. Chart review identified 146 athletes, representing 22 sports and 6 ethnicities. No coronary anomalies were found. The average measurable course was 2.1 cm for the RCA and 1.5 cm for the LCA. Both readers observed the RCA ostium in 143 athletes (98%), LCA ostium in 143 athletes (98%), RCA proximal course in 119 athletes (82%), and LCA proximal course in 118 athletes (81%). Statistical analysis showed good interobserver reliability for observation of the ostia and proximal course. The origin and proximal course of the coronary arteries were readily and reliably observed in the majority of athletes, suggesting coronary artery evaluation should be included in athlete screening TTE protocols.

Gender Preference? National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Student-Athletes and Strength and Conditioning Coaches.

Shuman, KM and Appleby, KM. Gender Preference? National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Student-Athletes and Strength and Conditioning Coaches. J Strength Cond Res 30(10): 2924-2933, 2016-The purpose of this study was to examine the preferences and attitudes of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI) junior and senior class student-athletes toward the gender of their strength and conditioning coach (SCC). This study contributes to the empirical body of literature regarding student-athlete and strength and conditioning coach interaction specific to gender-related information and extends the efforts to increase student-athlete success. A qualitative framework was used for this study. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 NCAA DI junior or senior class student-athletes who had been exposed to and coached by both a male and a female SCC. The results of this study concluded that, in general, participants did not have a specific gender preference for their SCC. However, participants indicated a preference for a coaching leadership style, which conveyed (a) leadership ability, (b) professionalism,

The Current State of Corporate Social Responsibility Behavior in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I Athletic Departments

The Current State of Corporate Social Responsibility Behavior in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I Athletic Departments Nicholas Schlereth, David Scott, Shawn Berman Abstract National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I athletic departments are generating revenue that would place them in comparison with Forbes100 “Best -Small Business” list (Badenhausen, 2014). Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the main issue that is investigated in this paper as it pertains to the actions of the Division I athletic departments. The Division I athletic departments are at the highest level in collegiate athletics based on the ability to offer more athletic scholarships to student athletes. CSR is the belief that a company should be a good citizen in society (Bowen, 2013). The paper will take a global perspective view of the CSR actions of athletic departments through a content analysis of the department’s websites for the constructs: environmental sustainability, cause related marketing, and community service. The paper serves as means for understanding if athletic departments are conducting CSR, and is the first timea content analysishas been applied to the investigation of CSR actions. The paper submits that NCAA Division I athletic departments are taking CSR actions in support of the three constructs researched. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jpesm.v1n2a4

Longitudinal Documentation of Serum Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Collegiate Soccer Athletes Over the Course of an Athletic Season

Background: Serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) is a biomarker for cartilage degradation. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) are used to document postinjury recovery and may be used to prospectively identify changes in the course of a season. It is unknown what effect intense, continuous physical activity has on sCOMP levels and PRO values in athletes over the duration of a soccer season. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to longitudinally document sCOMP levels and to determine whether changes in PROs occur in collegiate soccer athletes during a season. The hypotheses tested were that sCOMP levels and PRO scores would remain stable over the duration of the spring soccer season. Study Design: Case series; level of evidence, 4. Methods: Twenty-nine National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I soccer athletes (18 men, 11 women; age, 19.6 ± 1.2 years; height, 177.8 ± 7.4 cm; mass, 73.8 ± 10.2 kg) participated in 3 (pre-[T1], mid-[T2], and postseason [T3]) data collection sessions. Subjects were included if they were participants in the spring soccer season and were free of severe knee injury at the time of data collection. At each session, subjects completed PROs (Lysholm, International Knee Documentation Committee scores) before serum collection. Results: For sCOMP (ng/mL), there was a significant effect for time, with significant increases at T2 (1723.5 ± 257.9, P < .001) and T3 (1624.7 ± 231.6, P = .002) when compared with T1(1482.9 ± 217.9). For each of the PROs, there was a significant effect for time from T1-T3, and at T2-T3 for the IKDC. Conclusion: These data indicate sCOMP levels increased as athletes reported an increased level of function over time. However, the differences in sCOMP levels did not reach the calculated minimal detectable change (MDC) value and the differences in PRO scores did not reach previously calculated MDC values. It is unclear whether these increases in sCOMP levels were caused by an increase in cartilage matrix breakdown or turnover. Even though these elevations may not be clinically meaningful, this biomarker may have the potential to be used for future research studies investigating the effects of exercise on overall joint health in longitudinal studies. In addition, these results indicate fluctuations in sCOMP occur during a competitive season and must be taken into consideration for future biomarker studies.

An Overview and Critique of NCAA Policy Regarding the Use of Sport Psychology Consultants at the Division I Level

Over the past 20 years the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I (NCAA) has restricted the activities of sport psychology consultants (SPCs) working with student-athletes, particularly at the Division I (D-I) level. In some cases, the restrictions have been based on the assumption that what SPCs do is actually “coaching.” Thus, if SPCs are permitted to interact with student-athletes during practices and competitions they must be considered as “countable” coaches. In this paper, we briefly discuss the history of NCAA rules governing the activities of SPCs, provide excerpts from the sport psychology literature and the NCAA D-I Manual that illustrate how the specialized work of SPCs is different from that of coaches, suggest reasons why allowing student-athletes and coaches access to SPCs during practices and competitions would be beneficial to both groups, and propose ways NCAA legislation might be amended to allow SPCs to work with student-athletes in a manner similar to the ways other athlet...

Normative SF-36 Values in Competing NCAA Intercollegiate Athletes Differ from Values in the General Population

The Short Form-36 (SF-36) is a valid and reliable generic indicator of health status. The scoring distributions for the general and specific populations have been extensively reported in the literature and vary according to age, gender, the type and severity of a medical condition, and socioeconomic status. However, normative data pertaining specifically to athletic populations are limited. The purpose of the present study was to establish SF-36 reference norms for athletes cleared for participation in intercollegiate sports. Six hundred and ninety-six United States National Collegiate Athletic Association Division-I and II student athletes who had been cleared for participation in intercollegiate sports completed the self-administered form of the SF-36 at the time of pre-participation evaluations. Demographic information and history of injuries were also recorded. Compared with the general population and an age-matched sample of the general population, the athletes scored significantly higher in all health domains (p < 0.01) except for bodily pain (p = 0.05). Among the athletes, men scored significantly higher than women in the general health domain only (p = 0.0006). Athletes with no reported history of injury scored significantly higher than those with previous injuries in all health domains, except in role limitations due to emotional problems. Intercollegiate athletes cleared for participation reported significantly higher SF-36 scores in comparison with a similarly aged sample of the general population. These normative values are important in the evaluation of health status of intercollegiate athletes before and after intervention.